INTRODUCTION

“If you can’t measure it, then you can’t improve it.”

Biomass is an abundant renewable resource that can be a sustainable source of carbon and hydrogen to the Net Zero Circular Economy. Concerns about the sustainable production and use of biomass feedstocks slow the needed expansion of appropriate uses of biomass to produce renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials. Likewise, uncertainty regarding the amount of biomass available for sustainable productive use reduces investor confidence in the future demand for bio-based products. Of particular interest is the climate mitigation roles for biomass. Confidence in carbon accounting of bio-based fuels, chemicals, and materials is essential for them to participate in obligatory and voluntary carbon markets.

Two high-level panel discussions will be held to support the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance and enable a more technical exchange in support of the CEO – Minister Biofuture Roundtable by affirming and increasing public and private sector commitment to the innovation, investment, and policy needed to fulfill the potential for bio-based fuels, chemicals, and materials to enable the Net Zero future. The panels will address the synergistic role of biomass with CCU and hydrogen for diverse applications, including fuels for aviation and shipping and the wide range of bio-based chemicals.

IMPLEMENTATION

Session Officers:

• Sangita Kasture | Co-Lead, MI Integrated Biorefineries Mission & Scientist/Director, India Ministry of Science and Technology
• Kees Kwant | Co-Lead, MI Integrated Biorefineries Mission & Senior Expert Bioenergy and Liaison Biobased Economy
• Jim Spaeth | Chair, Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Initiative & Program Manager, Bioenergy Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
• Gerard Ostheimer | Manager, Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Campaign

AGENDA

Session 1: Sustainability – Building confidence through data and transparency (45 minutes)

This panel discussion will address the following questions:

1. What are the best practices in biomass sustainability, including policy, data collection, reporting, and transparency?
2. How is digital technology being used to validate the evidence-base and increase confidence in sustainability certification?
3. What are best practices in liquid biofuel carbon accounting? How can these practices contribute to carbon intensity-based policy? Obligatory carbon markets? Voluntary carbon markets?

Moderator

Jim Spaeth | Program Manager, Bioenergy Technologies Office, US DOE & Chair, CEM Biofuture Platform Initiative

Speakers

• Paul Bloom | Chief Carbon Officer & Chief Innovation Officer, Gevo
• Lt. Col. Monish Ahuja | Chairman & Managing Director, PRESPL
• Vikram Gulati | Country Head & Senior Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motors
• Mariano Ruiz | Vice President of International Affairs, Drax
• Sam Lehr | Manager of Sustainability & Markets Policy, Renewable Natural Gas Coalition

Session 2: Availability – Bringing more sustainable feedstocks to market (45 minutes)

This panel discussion will address the following questions:

1. What are the best practices in estimating sustainable biomass availability?
2. What are the best practices de-risking project finance by ensuring adequate feedstock availability.

Moderator

Paolo Frankl | Head of Renewable Energy Division, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Speakers

• Suhas Baxi | Co-Founder & CEO, BiofuelCircle
• Mr. Aditya Jhunjhunwala | President, India Sugar Manufacturers Association
• Dr. Pradeep Srivastava | Executive Director, Technology, Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) (tbc)
• Dr. A.V. Umakanth | Principal Scientist, Plant Breeding, Indian Institute of Millet Research (tbc)
• Frank des Rosiers | Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy and Innovation, Natural Resources Canada (tbc)